Seed-planter



(Model.)

J. L.- GUINN 8u G. L. BLA-IR.

Seed Planter.

Patented May 24. |881.

No.241,85e.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JESSE L. GUINN AND GEORGE L. BLAIR, OF OKOLONA, MISSISSIPPI.

ssen-PLANNER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,858, dated May 24, 1881.

Application tiled February 26, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JESSE L. GUINN and GEORGE L. BLAIR, citizens of the United States of America, residing at Okolona, in the county of Chickasaw and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seed-Planters; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in seed-planters wherein a rotating seed-drum is attached to a common plow-standard, with a covering device in the rear of the said drum 5 and the objects of the improvements are to provide a seed planter and coverer so combined that they may be attached to and detached from a common plow standard or stock without injuring the strength of, or interfering with the utility of, the plow as a separate implement.

Our improvement, therefore, consists in a covering device attached to the axle of a seeddrum, such covering device bein g substantially operated in downward pressure by means of springs extending therefrom to the standard of a common plow, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and described.

Our improvement also consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, Figure lis a. perspective view of our improvements attached to the standard of a common plow. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View ofthe seed-drum, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the seeddrum.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawings, the letter A represents the stock of a common plow, wherein, at such a height as may best serve the purposes of the draft, is made a hole to receive a bolt. At this point the metallic straps or bows B are secured and ext-end rearwardly to receive the axle of the seed-drum. These straps or bows are made of (Model.)

such shape as will provide therequisite breadth for insertion ofthe drum-axle at their rear ends, which form a bearing for the drum-axle and clamp the standard at the forward ends, substantially as shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

The letter C represents the rotating seeddrum, having the heads D, which are ofgreater diameter than the drum part, and have rough or corrugated treading-surfaces. These heads are shouldered to suit the diameter of the drum, as shown in Fig. 2 at a. Around and on-thesp shoulders a'the material'of the drum is fastened; but the material so secured to the shoulders does not extend entirely around the same, but a space is left open for the purpose of affording an opening through which the seeds are putin the drum. This lspace is supplied and closed by a stave or slat, which isinserted through the hole b of one of the heads, and reaches the length of the drum, ts into a corresponding slot or hole in the other head, and is secured by any suitable means. In the center of the drum, and on a line with the point of the plow or marker, are the holes c, through which the seeds find exit. In the center of the drum-heads is an axle, d, extending through the drum and beyond the heads, for the purpose of receiving the straps attaching the drum to the plow-standard, and those also of the coverer.

The letter E represents the covering device, and consists of a heavy bar of wood or metal corresponding in length to the length of the seed-drum, and is formed with a rearwardlyinclined or circular surface on the front, so as to strike the soil with a dragging effect and is plain on the rear surface. It is attached to the axle of the seed-drum by the side bars, e, and is provided with the compound springf, whereof the spring i is fixed in upper surface ot' the eoverer, midway from the ends, and the spring Ic is fixed in the plow-standard, and extendingtherefrom lits over the end of the spring t', where the two are keyed together, substantially as seen in Fig. l of the drawings. The object of these springs is to press on the coverer and at the same time preserve it in position while in operation, and also insure an even pressure when passing over uneven surfaces.

To effect the objects of our invention in op- ICO eration, after the several parts and appliances have been completed, the straps or bows which secure the drum to the standard, and those which connect the coverer to the drum, are adjusted to the axle ofthe seed-drum and secured by the nut applied to the end of the axle. The endsofthestrapsintended to clamp on the plowstandard are bolted in place, and theends ofthe side barsintendcd to tit on the ends ofthe coverer are likewise pinned or otherwise secu red in position, the springs then inserted and keyed, as described, and the machine is ready to be operated, and thisisctt'ected by the progression ot' the power. The plow or marker lines the furrow, the drum rotates, and the seeds drop from the holes iu the furrow, and the covercr following` spreads the soil over and covers them up.

1t will be observed that the drum and covcrer can beattached hy inserting, and detached by removing, the holt which passes through the front ends ofthe bars and the standard.

It will be also seen that the diti'erent parts ofthe improvements, by reason oi' the character ofthe connecting' mechanism, may each, in turn, conform to any uneven surface passed in "planting, being exible in their connections.

\Ve are aware that it is not broadly new to combine with an ordinary plow a revolving seed-hopper and covering-plows with an adjustable means, and therefore no broad claim is made to such invention; but

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with an ordinary plow and the curved side bars, B, with the rotary seed-drum jonrnaled to the outer ends thereof, ofthe side bars, c,journaled to the axle of the seed-drum, the coverer E, and compound spring f, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The improved seed-planter hereinbefore described, consisting, essentially, ot the ordinary plow with the curved side bars, B, rotary seed-drum D,journaled to the bars B, the side bars, c, attached to the axle of' the seeddruln, the coverer E, vertical springbar t', and horizontal spring-bar lc, all organized substantially as described.

In testimony whereot' we at'x our signatures in presence oi" two witnesses.

JESSE LEE GUINN. GEORGE LURAY BLAlR. Witnesses:

W. C. WHITEHEAD, W. J. LYON. 

